4 Amazing Day Trips to Take From Winona, MN

There is an array of magical places to discover on day trips from Winona, MN. Stroll through artistic sculpture gardens, find tranquility overlooking the Mississippi River, view a vast collection of antique toys, motorcycles, and automobiles, and find your way through one of the most intricate corn mazes in the region.

1. Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden and Museum

Visit the colorful fantasy world of craftsman and artist Herman Rusch, a Prussian-born immigrant. Rusch retired after 40 years as a farmer in 1952 and transformed the Prairie Moon Dance Pavilion into a museum filled with unusual machines and natural phenomena, including a washing machine powered by a goat running on a treadmill. He planted a garden on the museum grounds, created giant sculptures, and built a unique 260-foot arched wall.

Rusch completed 40 colorful and magical garden sculptures made out of concrete, seashells, bits of glass, mirrors, and broken crockery in 1974 at the age of 89. Additional artworks were added when the Fountain City Rock Garden and the Fred Schlosstein sculptures were moved to the Prairie Moon grounds.

2. Kinstone

Kinstone is a 30-acre modern Megalithic garden in Fountain City, Wisconsin, situated in beautifully restored prairies and oak savannas overlooking the Mississippi River. Every aspect of the space was constructed with meaning to promote contemplation, mindfulness, and reflection. The stonework includes stone circles, a classic seven-circuit labyrinth, a chapel, and megalithic dolmen scattered throughout the beautiful area.

Stroll along The Way of the Stones through the magnificent garden filled with standing stones, granite boulders, and sculptures, and enjoy peace and tranquility. Visit the Education Center for information on the various workshops, courses, classes, and hands-on learning experiences on offer. Contact the center at least a day in advance if you want to go on a guided tour of the property.

3. Elmer’s Auto and Toy Museum

While you are in Fountain City, drive to Elmer’s Auto and Toy Museum to view over 100 classic, antique, race, and muscle cars and thousands of antique toys and tools. The family-owned museum has five buildings displaying vehicles, Indian and Harley motorcycles, old and high wheel bicycles, pedal cars, pedal tractors, and a collection of beautiful antique toys.

Bring a picnic basket and enjoy lunch and the spectacular view from Eagle Bluff, the highest point along the Mississippi River where the museum is located. Contact the museum to schedule a visit or check their website to see when they are open.

4. Tews Corn Maze

As corn mazes go, this massive maze is so elaborate that the design can only be appreciated from the sky. Ted and Linda Tews have been dairy farmers for 30 years, and in 2009 they created Udderly Corny Cow, their first maze in a 7-acre field. Although creating a corn maze takes a lot of work and effort, they develop a new design to add to the excitement each year.

The corn maze is not the only attraction on the farm. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, pig and duck races, meet the farm animals at the petting zoo, and get a taste of mouthwatering farm-fresh fare. Tews Corn Maze is 5 miles north of Lewiston on County Road 25 and is open from noon to 6 p.m. on weekends from September to the end of October.

Go on a road trip and visit the most unique and unforgettable attractions in and around the city. Visit Dahl Chevrolet GMC today. We offer superior vehicles and expert automotive services.